Kaizer Chiefs coach Fernando da Cruz believes improved finishing can help his side build on their 3-0 victory over TS Galaxy as they prepare for Saturday’s Soweto Derby against Orlando Pirates.
Wandile Duba scored a second-half hat-trick at FNB Stadium on Tuesday night to send Amakhosi into the Carling Knockout quarter-finals and end a difficult run of results. The striker struck in the 48th, 62nd and 66th minutes to seal a convincing win after a goalless first half.
Despite the scoreline, Da Cruz insisted that the result was not necessarily a reflection of his team’s best performance this season, arguing that the key difference was their ability to convert chances.
“The difference is efficiency,” Da Cruz told SuperSport after the match.
“Today we made a good game, but sometimes we made a better game, and we didn’t win and I hope that now it’s the starter for us to keep confidence and we continue on this way.”
The French coach said his players had continued to trust their playing model despite previous results failing to match their performances.
“We’re having confidence in our model game but not in the efficiency and I hope we get ready and since this evening, we’re going to recover and we will prepare the game for this Saturday,” he added.
Chiefs turn focus to Soweto Derby
Duba’s performance provides a timely lift for Chiefs ahead of their meeting with arch-rivals Orlando Pirates, with both clubs having secured places in the Carling Knockout quarter-finals.
Pirates also recorded a 3-0 victory on Tuesday, beating Milford FC to advance to the last eight. Tshepang Moremi scored twice, while Thapelo Mokobodi also found the net. <Cite refs={[“turn678325search4″,”turn678325search10”]}/>
The derby, scheduled for Saturday, October 31, will present a much tougher test for Da Cruz’s side against opponents arriving with confidence of their own.
For Chiefs, the immediate priority will be to carry the clinical finishing displayed against Galaxy into the league encounter. Duba’s treble has offered encouragement, but maintaining that efficiency against Pirates could prove crucial in a fixture that carries significant importance for both sides.
The victory over Galaxy has secured Chiefs’ place in the cup quarter-finals and given them a boost before one of the biggest matches on the South African football calendar.
